Mistletoes
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Today was the last day of my season long women's program. I started the program 11 weeks ago skiing only one side of my small local hill and sticking primarily to greens and 2 blue runs. I can now comfortably ski the whole mountain (OK still avoid long bump runs). Most importantly I've learned how good skiing feels. We skied ice, sugar, mashed potatoes - one of the incentives to doing the program was knowing I would ski no matter what the conditions since I made a financial commitment.
On our final lesson today, our instructor gave us a "tool box" of tips to keep practicing. Specifically side slipping on steeps, skating and one footed turns on the flats.
One of our last runs was through a freestyle aerial park that was used for training by the Chinese Aerial Team and US Aerial Development Team. We went to the top of the run-out. I have no idea how steep this slope is but looking down you can barely see the hill. Our instructor took us to this run three times this season and the previous two I turned and went down an easier slope to the right. Knowing this would be my last chance, I didn't stop long at the top and allow myself to think about it. I committed and made my first turn then my second and holy $h**!!!! As soon as my skis hit the fall line I was flying, I started to panic but remembered to ride it out and stay down (don't stand up and panic!). Thankfully it's a very short run. I humbly approached my instructor and told him I knew I almost lost it. He replied, you know that guy in the red jacket behind you? He's an instructor and you made more turns than he did
On our final lesson today, our instructor gave us a "tool box" of tips to keep practicing. Specifically side slipping on steeps, skating and one footed turns on the flats.
One of our last runs was through a freestyle aerial park that was used for training by the Chinese Aerial Team and US Aerial Development Team. We went to the top of the run-out. I have no idea how steep this slope is but looking down you can barely see the hill. Our instructor took us to this run three times this season and the previous two I turned and went down an easier slope to the right. Knowing this would be my last chance, I didn't stop long at the top and allow myself to think about it. I committed and made my first turn then my second and holy $h**!!!! As soon as my skis hit the fall line I was flying, I started to panic but remembered to ride it out and stay down (don't stand up and panic!). Thankfully it's a very short run. I humbly approached my instructor and told him I knew I almost lost it. He replied, you know that guy in the red jacket behind you? He's an instructor and you made more turns than he did
